After earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Tori gave office life her best effort and quickly realized it wasn’t for her.

When she enrolled in cosmetology school, it wasn’t much of a surprise to her family and friends, since she had been exploring color and cutting (often in a DIY punk rock fashion) since high school. The back porch bleaching sessions, the college dorm room haircuts—they started her passion for hair. After becoming licensed in her home state of California, she apprenticed for 18 months under master stylist and owner, Jennine Olea, of Miss Mae’s House of Beauty in Santa Cruz. Here she further refined her skills, adding styling, updos, creative color, and precision haircutting to her resume.

After 5 years, when life took her to New York City, she transferred her license and worked in Brooklyn, learning how to dry cut curly hair, unlocking a new skill and passion. When she joined the team at Exhibit: A Salon, she also started doing on-set styling for commercial photography and on-location styling for weddings.

Since 2015, Tori has made Nashville her home. These days, her focus stays mainly “behind the chair” helping guests with various hair textures achieve easy styling haircuts and lived-in, dimensional color (but isn’t opposed to an occasional wedding or on-set styling session). She prioritizes continuing education, even 17 years in, making sure she keeps her skills sharp for each guest who comes to her, trusting her with their hair.